At the spring Wallace District Fire Department awards banquet, Fire Chief Tyson Van Eaton presented firefighters with awards and recognition for years served. A few firefighters were not present at the banquet, hence not pictured in award photos taken by firefighter Trista Hayward.
Changes in officer positions were announced. The deputy chief position for Elkhorn Station 2 was held by two men. After serving together since 2008, Travis McColl and Blaine Rhodes are both stepping down and Aaron Lewis is the newly appointed Deputy Chief for Station 2.
Promotions include three new lieutenant positions for Jon Kliever, Stn. 2 (promoted summer 2023); Morgan Henry, Stn. 1; and Dylan Holmstrom, Stn. 1.
Virden’s Station 1 sees two leaving the service: Jason Morton after nearly 17 years and Brent MacDonald after nearly 23 years.
AWARDS
Training attendance: Stn. 1 – Will Adair; Stn. 2 – Aaron Lewis
Emergency Response attendance: Stn 1 – Dep. Chief Cory Nixon; Stn. 2 – Cpt. Gareth Lewis
Rookie of the Year: Stn.1- Chris Scott; Stn. 2 – Zoey Jebb;
Firefighter of the Year: Stn. 1 Morgan Henry; Stn. 2 Aaron Lewis
Officer of the Year: Stn. 1 Dep. Chief Cory Nixon; Stn. 2 Cpt. Gareth Lewis
Five years of service at Stn. 1 - Ryan Hayden, Morgan Henry, Joel Neumier; Stn. 2 - Joel Lewis
10 years of service at Stn. 2 – Jon Kliever and Jack Lewis
